Sunday, 17 April 2016

Over the weekend I tried Key Lime Pie for the very first time and I loved it! The creamy but tart pie sent my taste buds wild! I wanted to recreate it at home especially seeing as I paid a hefty $12 for a small serving. I couldn't find Key Limes at the supermarket so I went for normal limes and I could honestly say the taste didn't differ too much... So shall we call my pie " Lime Pie" ?

For anyone who hasn't tried Key Lime Pie before I suggest you give it a go especially if you love it's more elegant cousin ... The lemon meringue pie.

I made my Lime Pie in a cool glass mason jar, this makes it easy store for later or simply take on a gorgeous sunny picnic.

What To Do:
1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees
2. Place the biscuits and coconut in a food processor and blitz until it resembles fine bread crumbs
3. Stir in the melted butter until combined
4. Divide the biscuit base into two large mason jars and press down to create a firm biscuit base.
5. Now mix together the condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice and lime zest (The mixture will thicken)
6. Divide the mixture into the two mason jars evenly and stamp on a flat surface to get rid of air bubbles
7. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes
8. Now cool in the fridge for 40-60 minutes depending on how cold your fridge is.
9. Whip the cream and vanilla until it forms slightly stiff peaks (Be careful not to over whip)
10. Add the cream to lime pie and enjoy!

Monday, 11 April 2016

Since my last post I have been in a love/ hate relationship with dark chocolate. I have been wishing for luscious chunks of dark chocolate and hating the fact that my home is just too well stocked with chocolate.

I had finally given in and thought well if I add eggs and milk to the chocolate (Ignoring the butter and sugar) then it's not too bad for me right ?? Right??!

Whatever it may be .... May I introduce to you all this sexy cake ...

Hello beautiful.... and again

Close your eyes and imagine a decadence slice of chocolate heaven. A moist chocolate cake with a dreamy layer of dark chocolate ganache and adorned with sexy delicate dark chocolate curls. Now open your eyes and go make that thought a reality!

Ganache:
- 250 grams of dark chocolate (Min 50%)
- 150 ml double creamWhat To Do:
1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees
2. Firstly make the ganache so it has time to set , place the chocolate and cream into a microwave proof bowl and heat for around 40-50 seconds
3. Mix the chocolate and cream mixture until smooth and place aside to set. (If in a hurry I place mine in the fridge for 1 hr)
4. Take the butter and cocoa powder and mix until smooth
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time
6. Mix in the sugar until well combined
7. Mix in the flour, SF flour, baking powder and salt until well combined
8. Mix in the buttermilk until the mixture is smooth
9. Pour into a lined and greased 8 inch round tin and bake for 50-55 minutes.
10. Test the cake by inserting skewer, when it comes out relatively clean it is ready (remember this is a heavy and fudgy cake the skewer will never come out 100% clean)
11. Leave the cake out to cool completely.
12. To prepare the chocolate curls heat the 80 grams of chocolate in the microwave for 40-50 seconds.
13. When it is melted and smooth pour onto a flat surface (e.g. a clean chopping board)
14. Smooth it down with a palate knife until it is about 5 mm thick and refrigerate to harden.
15. When the cake is cooled and the ganache has set to a spreadable consistency (like peanut butter) you can start assembling.
16. Cut the top off the cake to level then turn it upside down
17. Ice with the ganache and remember it doesn't need to be perfect, the more swirls and patterns the ganache makes the more decadent it looks.
18. Top off with chocolate curls, this is made my running a knife in a scraping motion over the chocolate you had set in the fridge on the flat surface.
19. Enjoy and share! This is not a solo kind of cake.

Monday, 4 April 2016

I know I shouldn't be talking about Easter anymore after Easter but what does everyone do with all their left over chocolate ? After you've received a large amount of Easter chocolate and then you are lured in by the tantalizing after Easter chocolate sales and walk away with a basketful, what on earth are you meant to do when you realise that no humans aren't made of chocolate and after about ten full sized eggs that yes you should stop, how do you put all that chocolate to good use ??

I will tell you how! I have a giant dark chocolate Lindt bunny sitting on my shelf staring at me ... and I have come to the conclusion that I will feel a lot better about eating it if I melt it and dip some beautifully orange rind speckled cookies into it.

Dip some in tea, hand some out to loved ones as a thanks for the Easter chocolate, bring some to work and share share share!

What To Do:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
2. Mix the butter, sugar, salt, orange zest, cardamon and vanilla until combined
3. Add in the flour and mix until the dough is smooth
4. Take around a mini ice cream scoop sized piece of dough and shape into a squared off oval
5. Place onto a baking tray and pop into the freezer for 5 minutes
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until slightly golden on the edges
7. Set aside cookies to cool
8. Place your chocolate into a small microwavable bowl and heat for around 40 seconds until just melted
9. Dip half your cookie into the chocolate and place on the tray to harden.
10. Enjoy with a good strong cup of tea or coffee!

On another note..... I am quietly Loudly obsessing over these AMAZING Robert Gordon Mugs.... just why oh why do they have to be so beautiful ?!?

About Me

I'm a scientist turned food lover, ditching my degree in science to pursue my love of food and beautiful things. My love for food started when I snagged my man and discovered that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach... while trying to get to his heart, He helped me realise that food and beautiful things had a strong place in mine.